Anthropic has assigned a team of approximately six engineers to collaborate with the National Security Agency (NSA) in leveraging its advanced cybersecurity AI model, Mythos, as reported by The Financial Times. This initiative aims to assist the agency in utilizing Mythos for specific applications, although details on whether the engineers or the AI model are currently active in the agency's cyber operations remain undisclosed.
The NSA's role encompasses gathering intelligence through various means, including wiretaps and undersea cables, as well as executing offensive cyber operations against foreign threats. The recent report aligns with earlier findings from Axios, which indicated that the NSA had begun employing Mythos despite a federal prohibition against utilizing Anthropic's technology. This ban was instituted by the Department of Defense, which classified Anthropic as a "supply chain risk" after the company declined to permit its models for mass domestic surveillance and autonomous weaponry.
As interest in Mythos surges, governments are actively seeking access to this powerful tool. Anthropic has expressed concerns regarding the potential misuse of Mythos's cybersecurity capabilities, leading to restrictions on its availability to prevent exploitation that could expose security vulnerabilities or facilitate hacking.
When approached for comment, an NSA spokesperson refrained from confirming or denying the information, while Anthropic did not respond to inquiries.